Unbelievable! I'm a real estate agent, so I am used to getting emails from lots of agents, but this one topped the cake. A few minutes ago I received the following email from a real estate agent that I don't even know personally, with details removed to protect her identity.
Hi!
I am moving out of a condo on Juniper in December. I would love your help in finding a renter to take over my lease starting in December – by the 15th would be ideal. I am unit (blank) – the rent is $1550/month. I am on the courtyard/pool floor and have a terrace. The landlord isn’t paying commission – but I would love to buy you dinner or your favorite bottle of whatever you love. I’m attaching the floorplan. Please let me know if you have anyone in mind! Thank you for your help!!!
Agent
Fine Homes Specialist
BIG Name Real Estate Firm, Atlanta, GA
Are we professionals? Am I working for a bottle of wine or dinner??? Let me ask my mortgage company if that's OK for them. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Oh yeah, let me see if I can pay my license renewal fees, or my marketing or my taxes, or my utilities, or my insurance or my continuing education with that bottle of wine. I actually laughed out loud at this email. Now, I'm deleting it.
Sounds like an agent who could no longer afford to pay her rent...
Interesting that she calls herself a "Fine Homes Specialist" yet she lives in a rental.
Sounds like she may have sent this to a lot of Realtors because of her introduction?? Gosh, I hope so...
Jen, since the email didn't specify I would find her one and ask that the meal be served in Paris, with French Champagne.. thank you very much..I'll be right over.
Hi Jen,
What an interesting offer you received! I hadn't yet heard of anyone offering a bottle of wine in place of commission!
Don't forget me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC!"
Michael
(949) 753-7900
Jen,
Like YOU, I am laughing out loud as I read this...especially when I saw the photo of the sign "Will work for Wine"!!! This is just way too much...I'm with Don Fabrizio-Garcia on this one...sounds like SHE couldn't pay her rent (not funny!)...guess the landlord didn't accept WINE as payment either!
Boy do I agree with you on this one. I've said for years that REALTORS are professionals but many forget to act like such. Can you imagine telling your gynocologist or CPA, 'don't send a bill, here's a bottle of Merlot and THANKS.' NOT.
The sign is classic; thanks for sharing your story and the funny pic.
You do have to remember that the real estate market is slow...
Jen, you have a problem with that ......... LOL
Heck after a bottle of wine we might not be any richer, but at least it would help us forget that we did not make any money on the deal .......... LOL
Hey, Jen.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with working for a bottle of wine. You just have to know which bottle:
As with all negotiations, as for the 1787 Chateau Lafitte Bordeau and maybe you two can compromise on the 1787 Chateau d'Yquem - $56,588.
Wait a second...think again...one bottle of Screaming Eagle Cab will set you back about $3,200! I would write up an agreement stating the exact bottle you would like in return for your services. But, don't drink it. You can auction it off in a couple of years for more $$$. Just don't put the bottle above the refrigerator. I'm sure this Fine Home Specialist will be quick to make good on her promise of a bottle of wine in return for your services.
How funny! My sister negotiated a noncomission paying deal, she said she'd get a renter if they paid her the security deposit - the owner went for it!
WOW!!! These types of things NEVER cease to amaze me. What is she thinking? Well...I guess we can pretty much know what she is thinking...that you are a cheap date. She doesn't know you at all, huh Jen? GBU!
I am having so much fun with all these responses.
Don, Fine Homes Specialist, yeah right.
Maria, I'm sure she did sent it out to lots of agents. How many of them are going to work for free?
Steve, Ooh, I like the idea of dinner in Paris. I wonder if she'll pay for my transportation?
Michael, that's what I love about this job, something new everyday.
Rebecca, I'm glad you thought it was funny too.
Marian, Maybe I'll see if my CPA will accept a bottle of wine. Corporate taxes are due this month.
DJ, the sign is one I made for free at imagechef.com.
Kathy, if the market ever gets that bad...well it just won't.
George, you are right, I could forget it all with a bottle of wine.
Russel, I probably wouldn't like those expensive wines. I can't tell the difference. Yes, I like cheap wine, with lots of ice.
Michael, You sound like you know from experience not to put wine on top of the fridge. Years ago, I had a condo and stored liquor bottles on top of the fridge. I had a roommate who somehow let a bottle of Jack Daniels smash to the ground. Ugh, the smell and the cleanup. I don't store things on top anymore.
Amanda, I have bartered plumbing work instead of commissions. But, it was enough to add a new bathroom in one home and gut an old bathroom and renovate it in another home.
Elizabeth, My husband thinks I'm a cheap date. 2 drinks and I'm done!
I'll be by to visit on all of your Blogs. Thanks for commenting!
Jen,
I do find the opportunity to do alot of free work. Sometimes it is just the way it works - except for the attorneys and computer repair people of the world.
Richard
It takes all kinds... I doubt that they would work for dinner or a bottle of wine! Sounds like someone who is in financial straits and is grasping at straws to get out of the situation. Possibly another agent bites the dust?
Jen,
It might take a few cases of my favorite, not!! We work to hard in this business. If we don't act professional it's no wonder that sellers and buyers are always asking us if we will cut our commission. Whould you take less money per hour, I think not! Great and funny post!
What kind of wine? This is totally unfair! We need to understand the stakes.
What kind of wine? This is totally unfair! We need to understand the stakes.
I am with Rebecca, What kind?
I had a seller once offer to take me out to dinner at a local restaurant in lieu of paying me a commission. He was actually serious about it. I had to explain to him my costs to get and maimtain my license and the cost to list and market his home, plus the co-op commission to the buyers broker.